"I've been hit by some big boys, but I wouldn't want to be hit by Tyson"
My buddy @rubido came to have a beer while we're chatting about the event Holyfield vs Belfort, we couldn't help but thinking of Holyfield's legacy, fighting at 58 years old against MMA legend Vitor Belfort, for a boxing event organized by Triller.
If you don't know who Holyfield is, he is that guy:
We were once again, in awe, at Holyfield's speed for his age and size, in that fight against Tyson.
There were of course a second fight when Tyson bit Holyfield's ear; but that's for another story, today we will focus on him and his opponent Vitor Belfort.
There will also be a interesting match up between Anderson "The Spider" Silva, another MMA legend that personally made me start watch the sport 10 years ago, against another MMA legend Tito Ortiz
Holyfield vs Belfort
Every generation has its boxing heroes, and Holyfield is definitely one of them.
As an MMA fan, I asked my buddy @rubido why he thinks defined Holyfield's success, and he answered very quickly, without thinking that it's definitely his technicality, and ferocity. In other word, Evander doesn't mess around, and will hit you with everything that he has until you go down, but will Vitor be facing the same man, especially if it's an exhibition?
Of course, I was trying to defend Vitor Belfort, as he is a pioneer in the MMA world, and has an incredible power, especially during his TRT years (Testosterone Replacement Therapy), but in all honesty, it's a boxing fight, and there is little chance for him to win against one of the best technical boxers of his era, it's that simple.
However, we still have to take in consideration, Hoyfield's age, as he is 58 years, and ring rust can play a role, the odds are currently Evander Holyfield (+150) vs. Vitor Belfort (-200), which could be explained by Belfort being quite explosive still, (44 years old), and his puncher chance.
It's a 8 rounds fight, and a boxer advocate would of course see Holyfield as a clear favourite, he will probably play around for few rounds and finish it in the 7th.
I personally think the key to victory for Belfort is to play it dirty, stay in the clinch as much as possible, Holyfield looked strong in his training footage, but lacks the speed. However, don't underestimate the timing and technicality of a boxer like Evander.
Anderson Silva vs Tito Ortiz
Anderson's Silva's recent prowess against Chavez Jr was incredible, it makes you wonder if The Spider could have excelled as a boxer as much as he did as a kickboxer, and a MMA fighter.
He certainly moved like a boxer, and has the innate ability to understand a fighting style, his body moves with such an ease, I wouldn't be surprised if his technicality and range becomes too much for Tito Ortiz, that has been very motivated for this fight, but is it enough?
There isn't much footage of Ortiz recently boxing, but from what I can see, he isn't too shabby either, and his footwork is quite impressive, has a lots of power, they are relatively of the same age, so we can expect a competitive fight.
The odds are unsurprisingly in favour of Anderson Silva (-1400), and it might be a long night for Ortiz (+700) if the spider stay out of the pocket, and force a technical battle.
As much as everyone is criticizing "The circus" created by Triller, we cannot help but think that we are entering a new era for boxing, and we might see a resurgence of "Legends" in exhibition bouts, I personally don't have too much of a problem with it, we were joking with @sports.guy55 that we should just let these fighters get juiced to the gills, and watch some spectacle.
In that very specific case, I also agree with him in his post, we might see an embarrassment tonight, a travesty of a fight.
It's a hard pill to swallow, when you realize that some of the greatest fighters of all time, are still enjoying fighting at an age you would like them to just enjoy a retirement life, but when that's the life you know, there isn't much else to enjoy. And of course there is the money 😁
When we watch the face to face, between Silva and Ortiz, I can't help but thinking that Anderson Silva is looking a little bit more confident, and has nothing to prove in this matchup, I know that the Spider never is rarely boring, even for an exhibition bout. I know that I will tune up and watch the entire card:
All the fights:
Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort
David Haye vs. Joe Fournier
Anderson Silva vs. Tito Ortiz
Andy Vences vs. Jono Carroll